Neil Lennon expects Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras to face Benfica

17 November 2012 03:34

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is confident Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras will be fit for the midweek Champions League trip to Benfica.
The pair were both substituted in the second half of the 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Lennon said: "Kris has a dead leg so should be fit for Wednesday. Sami felt he could only really last 70 or 80 minutes after playing midweek, but the game will have done him a power of good."
Lennon is hopeful his other missing key men will also be in contention, adding: "We'll have Gary Hooper, Scott Brown and Joe Ledley hopefully training on Sunday, so we're getting players back.
"It was great for Beram Kayal to get through 90 minutes as well, because he's had an injury-hit season."
Commons was replaced Lassad Nouioui who put the visitors ahead in the 73rd minute, and former Aberdeen man Charlie Mulgrew added a second soon afterwards.
Lennon added: "I thought Lassad's performance, for the 20 minutes he was on, was superb. He's a great asset to have and hopefully he can keep injury-free.
"I said to Charlie that it's very difficult for us not to pick him now. It wasn't his best game, but he's grown into an all-round footballer and I was delighted to see him get his goal.
"It was a real test for the players today which they've come through very, very well."